I installed your LeakDetect alarm in our condo at
the water heater. Our neighbor below thanked us for not
allowing his ceiling to get wet and cave in
Peter P.Queens

It was some trouble to get your sensor behind our
dishwasher. However, the early warning of a leak helped to
save a lot of time and expense
- Corey W.Phoenix

ASK around...
You will likely find that about half of your
contacts have had a water problem
during the past year. Damage ranges from mopping up a
leak to repairing or replacing a ceiling or floor. Some
people lost
irreplaceable possessions. Mold caused by leaks can
cause significant property damage and an unhealthful
environment.

The three major causes of water problems are leaks from
water heaters, washing machines and dishwashers. Sales
of more than four out of every five of these appliances were
for replacement.

Early detection of a leak could
mean the difference between a quick, easy and inexpensive
repair or a major, expensive construction job.

Just place a
Sphinx LeakDetect Alarm Pyramid anywhere water may cause damage. When
water is detected, a common alkaline battery will power the
loud 100 dB alarm for about 5-7 days, if needed. It sounds
like a smoke alarm. Always "ON". There is no On-Off switch.

Accessories extend the range of the sensors and provides
connections to a battery, household current and existing
wired security systems. Coverage can be provided up to 300’
from the Sphinx Pyramid.

Save on 9V
batteries. Sphinx’s exclusive circuitry allows the battery
to function until it is used to sound the alarm or until its
full Expiration Date. The 9V battery becomes a back-up power
source when the Sphinx Alarm is connected to a battery or household power supply. A 9V battery is installed
for your convenience and cost savings.

Test the Sphinx
Pyramid by placing a wet cloth or wet finger on
either set of water sensors. Alarm will sound. Remove wet
item and alarm will stop and automatically reset.

Caution:

The Sphinx LeakDetect Alarm only
sounds a warning alarm when water is detected. It will
not prevent or stop leaks or mold.

Here are some easy steps to
follow for early detection of potential water leak problems...

Record your water meter reading.
For the next hour, turn off all faucets, all water-using
appliances and do not flush the toilet. Then check the
flow indicator on the water meter. The flow indicator
in most water meters is the triangular or
diamond-shaped rotating button. If the meter reading has
changed or the flow indictor is moving, then you have a
water leak.

Chances are that you do not have a
water leak today. However, a water leak can happen
anywhere and start at any time. Appliances and hoses
leak and fail unexpectedly.

The first precaution is to know
the location of the main water shut-off valve. Check
it to make sure that you can turn it Off. Then check out the
places where leaks occur most often.

# 1 Leak Problem: Water
Heaters

Install water heaters on the lowest level of the home and
always locate it next to a floor drain. If installed above or
adjacent to finished spaces, the water heater should be
placed inside a drain pan with the drain pan piped to a
floor drain. Wet spots around the tank or a rusted tank may
signal a problem. Most water heaters last only 10 to 15 years.

# 2 Leak Problem:
Washing Machines

You may be surprised the next time you buy a washing
machine. You will likely have to purchase the hoses
separately. The manufacturers wanted to eliminate
their number one problem -- leaking hot and cold water
hoses. Inspect the hoses regularly for
wetness around the hose ends and signs of bulging, cracking
or fraying. Replace the hose if a problem is found or at
least every
three to five years.

# 3 Leak Problem:
Dishwashers

Check under the sink to see if the hose connection to the
water supply line is secure and is not leaking. Check around
the base of the dishwasher for evidence of leaks. Look for
discolored, warped, or soft flooring materials or water
damage to nearby cabinets.

Ice Makers

Check the hose connection to make sure it is securely
attached to the water supply line. The wet spot you see on
the floor near the refrigerator may be a melted ice cube or
it may be a crimped water line to the ice maker which is
about ready to burst.

High Water [Sump Pumps]

Sump pump systems assist in keeping unwanted water out of
your basement. Sump pumps are not intended to last more than 10 years
and must have some components replaced or serviced within
those 10 years.

Toilets

Placing inappropriate objects or
too much toilet paper in the bowl can accidentally clog
toilets, especially the low-flow toilets now required in
homes. A hanging bowl deodorant is one of the culprits
which can lodge deep in the plumbing system. Some
chlorine tablet cleaners may corrode some internal
components of the toilet and lead to a leak.

Water Leaks Can Occur Anywhere

Air Conditioner Drain
Line.Have your A/C system serviced by
a qualified contractor. Make sure the service includes
inspecting and cleaning the air conditioner condensation
pan drain line to keep it free of obstructions.

Sinks.
Slow-draining pipes indicate a partially blocked drain.
Check the pipes for signs of a leak.

Showers & Bathtubs.
The first indication of a leak may be discoloration or
soft areas in floors and walls near showers or bathtubs.
If the shower walls or floor are tiled, a leak may develop
if there are cracks or missing areas of grout.

Roofs. Watch
for missing, curling, cupping, broken or cracked shingles.
Water stains on your ceiling were probably caused by a
leaking roof.

Basements. Look
for cracks in the floor or wall which would allow ground
water to seep in.

Dehumidifiers. Periodically
empty the pan which collects the water.

Second Homes.Water leaks do
not take vacations. Leak detection can become part of the
security system. It can notify you when you are not there.

Work &
Storage Places. Keep inventory off the floor.
Electrical and telephone control boxes must remain dry.
Look for cracks in walls and floors where water may enter.

Adding leak detection products
reduces your risks of significant water damage and build-up
of harmful mold. Choose from three basic types of
products:

Whole House Systems

Product Cost = $500 - $1,500 + Installation

These systems feature a shut-off valve that is
installed on the main water supply piping.
When a leak is detected, the system will
automatically shut off the entire water supply.

Individual Appliance
Systems

Product Cost = $50 - $150 + Installation

These systems are installed on a specific appliance
and will automatically shut-off the water supply
when a leak is detected.

Portable Water Detection
Products

Product Cost = $20 - $45

These
products are typically battery operated. They
are placed directly in the path of a potential leak.
When a leak is detected, a loud alarm is sounded.

Examine the following
features when shopping for a portable water detection product:

Water Sensors
All water detection alarm products follow the same principle.
An alarm sounds when water touches both sides of the
sensor. Water acts as a bridge or switch to sound
the alarm.

All alarms have at least one set of sensors.
Spacing between the sensors is typically about 1/4".
This means that a small amount of water will sound the
alarm. The wider the space between the sensors, the
greater the amount of water which is necessary to sound
the alarm.

Sphinx: Sensor
Spacing = 1/4"

Competitors: Sensor
Spacing = Up to 3"

The number of sensors is
especially important when the product is used on an uneven
surface. Water follows the path of least resistance. Many floors are uneven.

Sphinx: Contains
two sets of sensors.

Competitors: Most
products have only one set of sensors.

Battery
All products are battery operated.
A common 9V battery is typically used.

Sphinx: 9V battery
is included and installed. No extra cost.
Just take the pyramid out of the package and it is ready to
be used.

Competitors: Batteries may
not be included. Then an extra-cost purchase is necessary. Replacements
of specialty batteries which are found in some products may
be more difficult to find as well as more costly.

Batteries in most units will
last until they are used to sound an alarm or until their
expiration date. Therefore, testing of the battery
is not especially important. Some people get peace
of mind by replacing all batteries each year on an easy to
remember
predetermined holiday or anniversary.

Ease of Testing
Applying moisture, like a wet cloth
or finger, to the sensors is a common way to test the
operations.

Sphinx: Easy. Just apply
moisture to either set of sensors.

Competitors: Difficult to
test when the sensors are widely spaced.

Product Quality
What is
included with or is part of the product are good
indicators of the quality of a product. This
includes the product having a serial number, QC [Quality
Control] acceptance stamp or
label and a purchase registration process. These
items help the manufacturer to contact the consumer in the
unlikely event of a production problem and assist in
improving the products.

Sphinx: Includes serial
number, QC label and a purchase identification process
via either a return postcard or the Internet.

Competitors: Most
competitors do not serialize their products, affix a QC
acceptance stamp or have a purchase registration process.

System Expansions -- Accessories
Options include adding sensors beyond the base unit,
connecting the base unit to a wired security system,
connecting the base unit to 12V to 24V [battery] power
source,
connecting to a 110V to 120V AC [household] power source
and sensing high water.

Sphinx: Patented Upgrade Options
include:▲
Extend sensor range.▲
Add high water sensor [sump pump]▲
Connect to a battery▲
Connect to household current▲
Connect to wired security system.▲
Secure pyramid under sinks and in rental units & boats.All
Sphinx accessories may be used with any Sphinx pyramid. Up to 300' of any combination of product
and accessories may be connected together with 6 conductor
cable and connectors.

Competitors. These system
upgrade options
are not available.

Appearance
A bright red color helps to identify the product as a
safety or security product. Identifying security on the outside
of the product helps
to establish the need for the product to be on the floor.
This will help stop some people from picking it up and
discarding it because it was sitting on the floor.
The product's appearance should also help children not to
mistake it for a toy.

Sphinx™: The outside of the
product is a compact bright red plastic pyramid.
"Security" is clearly embossed on the sides.

Competitors: Rectangular, plain
vanilla colored boxes can lead to a erroneous identity of
its function and mistakenly discarded because it was on
the floor. Other shapes can attract children to play
with the product and put it in their toy box.